Abstract: A system and method for receiving and rendering Unicode text in multiple languages on a set top box is disclosed. The system includes a set top box which receives an application program from a broadcast station. The set top box executes the application program. The application program includes Unicode character encoding text for display on a television coupled to the set top box. An operating environment running on the set top box includes a Unicode encoding engine which the application program invokes to display Unicode text. The encoding engine determines the language of characters in the text and invokes a rendering engine corresponding to the language of each character, thus enabling characters from different languages to be mixed in the same text string. The rendering engine has specific knowledge of the language, such as rendering direction and context.

Abstract: A digital broadcast station is configured to turn around and add interactive programming to a television signal originally conveyed by a remote network. The remote network inserts trigger commands within the vertical blanking intervals (VBIs) of the television signal to control the loading and playing of the interactive program at the broadcast station. The protocol associated with the trigger commands allows commands to be repeated to thereby ensure that the interactive program is controlled correctly, even in the event that an original command was not received or was corrupted in the transmission. If a repeated trigger command is received by the broadcast station and the original command was not properly received, the interactive program source enters an error recovery state to determine the appropriate action for the interactive program source. For certain commands, such as continue, pause and stop, the interactive program source responds to the repeated command without further error compensation.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and rendering Unicode text in multiple languages on a set top box is disclosed. The system includes a set top box which receives an application program from a broadcast station. The set top box executes the application program. The application program includes Unicode character encoding text for display on a television coupled to the set top box. An operating environment running on the set top box includes a Unicode encoding engine which the application program invokes to display Unicode text. The encoding engine determines the language of characters in the text and invokes a rendering engine corresponding to the language of each character, thus enabling characters from different languages to be mixed in the same text string. The rendering engine has specific knowledge of the language, such as rendering direction and context.

Abstract: A transactional server system for transferring subscriber information requests to information service providers, and methods of operating the same result in discouraging reconstruction of the subscriber information. The transactional server system comprises a subscriber platform which transfers an encrypted identification and a message request block. A transaction server is coupled to the subscriber platform to initiate a subscriber information request in response to the message request block and the encrypted identification, and transfer the message request block to the information service providers in response to subscriber information. A database server coupled to the transaction server and having a plurality of subscriber information receives the subscriber information request and decrypts the encrypted identification to provide the subscriber information to the transaction server.

Abstract: A support structure, primarily for a trash or lawn bag is characterized by two identical bracing supports that are positioned to support the bag when staked into the ground. The bracing supports include a lower leg and an upper leg. Each leg is formed with a specific cross-sectional shape that allows the nesting and close coupling of the lower leg to the upper leg. An elbow or right angle member is releasably attached to the lower leg to fix the depth of the lower leg within the ground and trap the bag between the ground and the elbow member. Slidably received over the upper leg is a retainer clip having a right angle support and an opening having the same outer configuration as the cross-sectional shape of the legs such that the retainer clip may freely slide along the length of the upper leg member.

Abstract: A modular jack includes a removable face plate or front shield that is adapted to removably retain line status LEDs. In the preferred form, the face plate may be used to retrofit standard dual receptacle modular jacks. The face plate holds various types of LEDs that are electrically coupled to the lines of the modular jack for indicating status or activity of the particular line, e.g. when the line is in use transmitting or receiving data. The LEDs may be coupled to the individual lines by standard leads or flexible ribbon cable. Additionally, the face plate is formed of a metal to provide protection against static discharge damage to the circuits. The metal face plate provides an alternative path for the electricity rather than through the LED which might cause damage thereto. In another form, the LEDs may be directly coupled to a flex circuit, without a face plate with the flex coupled to the individual lines.

Abstract: A removable shroud latch for securing a printed circuit board (PCB) or second connector (device) to a first connector has a rectangular base which surrounds the first connector. The shroud latch engages the device by means of two pairs of inwardly biased arms that extend from the top of the elongated sides to engage opposite sides of either a hole in the PCB by means of knobs centered on the inward side of outwardly flared flanges at the upper ends of the arms or to an edge of the second connector. A plurality of inwardly extending shoulders on the bottom of the elongated sides engage the bottom edge of the first connector to prevent upward vertical movement of the shroud latch.

Abstract: An ejection mechanism for an electrical connector, especially a double-deck PCMCIA card header/electrical connector, has a single card eject selection button and associated ejection shaft that is manually positionable to selectively engage and actuate upper or lower card ejectors through respective upper or lower ejector push-rods. The user manually positions the selection button so as to only eject one of the upper or lower cards. Upon actuation of the selection button and subsequent ejection of the desired card from the selected upper or lower connector slot, the selection button returns to a pre-selection or initial position. The selection button includes a safety mechanism that prevents accidental ejection of the nonselected card.

Abstract: An electrical terminal carrying substrate or wafer is maintained in a channel of a die-cast metal frame of an electrical receptacle by peens that create radiused retaining lips. The slip-fit wafer is thus held into place within the channel at one end of the receptacle housing by a plurality of lips that extend over flange portions integral with the wafer. The flange rests on ledges integral with the frame within the channel. The lips and flanges eliminate interference fit wafers that tend to bow the receptacle frame increasing chances of open circuits or poor contact between the receptacle terminals and the mating plug terminals.

Abstract: A fluid pipeline sampler adapted for in-line or by-pass type sampling includes a body having a passage therethrough and a fluid outlet. The sampler is actuated by a pulling-type solenoid in response to an actuating signal. The solenoid shaft is coupled to a yoke that includes a piston mounted on the end opposite the solenoid shaft. The yoke surrounds a valved body extension, and along with the piston and body extension define a sample cylinder. The body extension has a bore that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the main body and the sample cylinder. Initial displacement of the yoke positively causes the piston to trap a sample of known volume within the cylinder. Further displacement injects the trapped sample into the body extension bore that then travels into a sample collector.

Abstract: A banner support bracket includes a plate-like member having a slightly concave rear surface to conform to a support post during mounting, and two spaced-apart upstanding walls defining a channel therebetween. A rod holder assembly is disposed within the channel and removably retains a banner rod through engagement with a cotter pin. The rod holder assembly is vertically movable and selectively securable at various positions along the length of the channel as well as variably tiltable through selected angles from the vertical axis of movement. The ability of the rod holder assembly, and thus the support rod, to assume variable angles permits a wide variety of banner configurations to be supported. Two such banner bracket supports are mounted to a standard in order to hold the longitudinal ends of the banner taut regardless of the angle of cut of the banner ends. A slight cantilever built in to the rod holder assembly helps keep the banner taut.

Abstract: A banner support bracket includes a plate-like member having a slightly concave rear surface to conform to a support post during mounting, and two spaced-apart upstanding walls defining a channel therebetween. A rod holder assembly is disposed within the channel and removably retains a banner rod through engagement with a cotter pin. The rod holder assembly is vertically movable along the length of the channel as well as variably tiltable through an angle of 180.degree. from the vertical axis of movement. The ability of the rod holder assembly, and thus the support rod, to assume variable angles permits a wide variety of banner configurations to be supported. Two such banner bracket supports are mounted to a standard in order to hold the longitudinal ends of the banner taut regardless of the angle of cut of the banner ends. A slight cantilever built in to the rod holder assembly helps keep the banner taut.

Abstract: A spraying device for dousing the blade chamber of a rotary lawn mower to effect cleaning thereof. An annular, D-shaped conduit is secured to the ground by a centrally disposed stake. The stake orients the flat portion of the D-shaped conduit against the ground, providing a low profile in order for the mower to be positioned over the spraying device. The annular conduit has a plurality of orifices disposed on the top surface defining first and second annular formations. The first annular formation upwardly directs a controlled spray pattern perpendicular to the ground, while the second annular formation upwardly and outwardly directs a controlled spray pattern preferably 45.degree. from the perpendicular. A valved extension conduit in communication with the annular conduit is releasably coupled to a water source such as a garden hose connected to a water faucet for supplying the spraying device with pressurized water.